NFL Week 4 Fantasy Football Injury Report Friday QB

Bottom Line Up Front at QB

Three starting quarterbacks are out this week — Jayden Daniels (WAS, elbow), Caleb Williams (CHI, hamstring) and Baker Mayfield (TB, thumb) — while the Giants are moving on from Jaxson Dart for the season after a Week 3 knee injury. Deshaun Watson, back from his Achilles tear, keeps piling up full practices and extends his streak as Cleveland’s clear starter.

This week’s QB report covers 8 players: 1 already played this week, 4 out, 2 questionable, 1 cleared / no game-status designation.

Who is on this report?

Caleb Williams (CHI), Deshaun Watson (CLE), Trey Lance (LAC), Aidan O’Connell (LV), Jaxson Dart (NYG), Baker Mayfield (TB), Jalon Daniels (TB), Jayden Daniels (WAS)

What changed since Week 3

NEW: Baker Mayfield (TB) — Newly appeared on injury report this week (was healthy/starting through Week 3); downgraded to Out by Friday after DNP all week
NEW: Jaxson Dart (NYG) — Newly season-ending – injury occurred in Week 3 itself; initial hope for a mid-season return was replaced by a decision to have surgery
NEW: Trey Lance (LAC) — Newly appeared on the injury report this week

Waiver wire: who gains if these names sit

If Deshaun Watson (CLE) can’t go — N/A while active; Shedeur Sanders is the primary backup who would start if Watson were ever sidelined
If Jayden Daniels (WAS) can’t go — Marcus Mariota starts Week 4 and is a streamable option; Daniels remains unownable/bench-only until a full practice week is confirmed
If Jaxson Dart (NYG) can’t go — Jameis Winston is now the full-time starter and the streamable/backup QB of relevance for Giants fantasy rosters; Dart should be dropped in most redraft leagues
If Caleb Williams (CHI) can’t go — Ben Johnson has not named a starter between Case Keenum (QB2) and Tyson Bagent (QB3) as of Friday; whichever gets the start becomes a desperation-only streamer, and the uncertainty under center is a modest drag on Bears pass-catchers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet this week
If Baker Mayfield (TB) can’t go — Jalon Daniels (rookie) starts in his place; expect a modest dip in volume/efficiency for Egbuka, Godwin, and the TB passing-game pieces until Mayfield returns

How to read this report

Designations reflect Friday, October 2, 2026 final injury/practice reports where filed.
Cleveland (CLE) and Pittsburgh (PIT) already played their Week 4 game Thursday night, October 1 — their entries reflect that completed game, not an upcoming one.
Atlanta (ATL) and New Orleans (NO) play each other Monday night, October 5 — some of their tags may not be finalized until Saturday.
“No Final Tag Yet” means a real injury concern exists but the club hasn’t filed (or confirmed) an official Week 4 game-status designation as of this report.

Already Played This Week (1)

These players’ games were already decided by Thursday night, before this Friday report — included for full-week context and any waiver-wire fallout.

Deshaun Watson (CLE, QB1) — NO GAME-STATUS DESIGNATION (b) Not on the Week 4 injury report at all (full practice participation); flagged here because he is less than a year removed from a ruptured-and-re-ruptured Achilles and only reclaimed the Browns’ starting job in August 2026 — a material ongoing fantasy/durability story even with a clean report.
Injury: Right Achilles tendon rupture (original tear Oct. 20, 2024 vs. Cincinnati; re-ruptured shortly after, repaired via surgery Jan. 9, 2025) (since Oct. 20, 2024 (original); Jan. 9, 2025 (surgery after re-tear)). Typical recovery: Full recovery from a ruptured Achilles typically runs 9-12+ months before a return to competitive snaps. Expected back: Already returned — won the Week 1 2026 starting job over Shedeur Sanders and has started every game through Week 4. Week 4 status: Expected to start Week 5 as the healthy incumbent QB1, barring setback. Next 4 games: No limitations reported through four starts (multi-TD Week 3 outing with 11 rushes for 45 yards vs. Carolina); mobility/workload still worth monitoring given the injury’s severity, but no current red flags. Fantasy impact: N/A while active; Shedeur Sanders is the primary backup who would start if Watson were ever sidelined

Out (4)

Ruled out, on injured reserve, PUP, exempt, or suspended — not expected to play Week 4.

Caleb Williams (CHI, QB1 (starter)) — OUT (a) Grade 2 right hamstring strain. Did not practice Wednesday or Thursday (walkthrough only reported), no Friday practice participation reported. Officially ruled out for Week 4 vs. the New York Jets — his second consecutive missed start.
Injury: Right hamstring strain (Grade 2) (since Week 2, 2026 (exact date unclear); has already missed Week 3). Typical recovery: A Grade 2 hamstring strain typically sidelines a player 3-6 weeks. Expected back: Unclear; team has given no firm timeline beyond ‘multi-week.’ Earliest realistic return would be Week 5 (Oct 11) but is not confirmed. Week 4 status: Out for Week 4 vs. New York Jets. Next 4 games: Expected to miss additional time beyond Week 4; Chicago has not committed to a return week, so a conservative outlook has him out multiple more games before a clean hamstring allows a return. Fantasy impact: Ben Johnson has not named a starter between Case Keenum (QB2) and Tyson Bagent (QB3) as of Friday; whichever gets the start becomes a desperation-only streamer, and the uncertainty under center is a modest drag on Bears pass-catchers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet this week
Jaxson Dart (NYG, Former QB1, now on injured reserve / off the active depth chart) — RESERVE-INJURED (c) Season-ending knee injury suffered on the Giants’ opening offensive drive of the Week 3 Monday night loss to the Rams; will have surgery and is out for the remainder of 2026. He is off the current active depth chart – Jameis Winston has taken over as the starter.
Injury: Knee (since Week 3 (Monday night, approx. Sept 28/29, 2026, vs. L.A. Rams)). Typical recovery: Season-ending knee surgery recoveries typically run 6-9+ months. Expected back: Not expected back in 2026; timeline would point to availability for the 2027 season. Week 4 status: Out (season-ending) – will not play Week 4 or beyond in 2026. Next 4 games: Out for the rest of the season; Jameis Winston is the Giants’ starter with J.J. McCarthy as the backup. Fantasy impact: Jameis Winston is now the full-time starter and the streamable/backup QB of relevance for Giants fantasy rosters; Dart should be dropped in most redraft leagues
Baker Mayfield (TB, QB1 (starter) – currently sidelined; Jalon Daniels elevated to starter) — OUT (a) Right thumb injury; did not practice Wednesday or Thursday of Week 4 prep, and the Buccaneers’ official Friday report and CBS Sports’ Week 4 injury tracker both list him as Out for the Packers game. Jalon Daniels has been named the Week 4 starter in his place.
Injury: Right thumb (since Week 4 practice week (approx. Sept 30, 2026)). Typical recovery: Thumb sprains/fractures in throwing-hand typically require 3-5 weeks depending on severity (ligament sprain vs. fracture). Expected back: Approx. Week 7 (~Oct 25, 2026) per CBS Sports. Week 4 status: Out for Week 4 vs. Green Bay; rookie Jalon Daniels starts. Next 4 games: Likely to miss multiple weeks (through roughly Week 6-7); Jalon Daniels expected to start in the interim, which materially lowers the passing-game floor for Tampa Bay’s pass catchers. Fantasy impact: Jalon Daniels (rookie) starts in his place; expect a modest dip in volume/efficiency for Egbuka, Godwin, and the TB passing-game pieces until Mayfield returns
Jayden Daniels (WAS, QB1 (currently sidelined)) — OUT (a) Left elbow dislocation suffered in Week 2 vs. Dallas (tripped on a dropback, fell on outstretched arm); imaging showed no fracture or ligament damage, but this is his second dislocation of the same elbow in two seasons. Limited practice participation all week; officially ruled out Friday for the Colts game in London.
Injury: Left elbow dislocation (since Week 2 (game vs. Dallas Cowboys, approx. Sept 20, 2026)). Typical recovery: Elbow dislocations without fracture/ligament tear typically require 3-6 weeks; a recurrent dislocation in the same joint can run longer. Expected back: Uncertain; HC Dan Quinn says the benchmark is a full, unrestricted week of practice, which has not yet happened as of Week 4 – realistic target is Week 5 or 6. Week 4 status: Will not play Week 4 vs. Colts; Marcus Mariota starts. Next 4 games: Week 4 out; Weeks 5-7 dependent on a clean full practice week – team is being deliberately cautious given the repeat injury, so a Week 5 return is not guaranteed. Fantasy impact: Marcus Mariota starts Week 4 and is a streamable option; Daniels remains unownable/bench-only until a full practice week is confirmed

Questionable (2)

Game-time decisions as of Friday’s final report — trust your waiver wire just in case.

Trey Lance (LAC, QB2 (backup to Justin Herbert)) — QUESTIONABLE (a) groin injury; Limited Participation in practice this week, officially Questionable per the Friday report.
Injury: Groin strain (since Week 4 (exact date unclear from available sources)). Typical recovery: Groin strains typically require 1-3 weeks depending on severity. Expected back: Expected recovery within 1-2 weeks regardless of whether he plays through it Week 4. Week 4 status: Questionable, but irrelevant to the starting lineup — Justin Herbert (QB1) is healthy and the expected starter. Next 4 games: No fantasy relevance as a clipboard-holding backup unless Herbert is sidelined. Fantasy impact: None in standard 1-QB leagues — DJ Uiagalelei is QB3; only matters if Herbert is hurt
Aidan O’Connell (LV, QB2 (backup to Kirk Cousins)) — QUESTIONABLE (a) personal matter, non-injury; Did Not Participate Thursday and is listed Questionable for Week 4 for a non-physical reason rather than an injury.
Injury: N/A — non-injury personal absence, not a physical injury (since Week 4 (reported starting Thursday, Oct 1, 2026)). Typical recovery: N/A — not an injury. Expected back: Unclear; status is day-to-day pending resolution of the personal matter. Week 4 status: Questionable for Week 4 vs. Kansas City; does not affect the starting QB spot. Next 4 games: No material fantasy relevance — Kirk Cousins is the clear-cut starter and is healthy. Fantasy impact: None in a 1-QB league since starter Kirk Cousins is healthy and expected to play

Cleared / No Game-Status Designation (1)

Managing something, but carries no game-status designation and is expected to play.

Jalon Daniels (TB, QB2, elevated to starter) — NO GAME-STATUS DESIGNATION (a) Healthy; elevated to starting quarterback for Week 4 because Baker Mayfield (thumb) is Out.
Injury: N/A – not injured (since N/A). Typical recovery: N/A. Expected back: N/A (active). Week 4 status: Expected to start Week 4 vs. Green Bay. Next 4 games: Likely to remain the starter for as long as Mayfield is out (roughly through Week 6-7). Fantasy impact: First career start for a rookie QB behind a line and skill group adjusting to a new passer; treat TB pass-catchers with slightly lowered weekly expectations until proven

Sourcing: NFL.com official injury reports, team-issued injury reports, Ourlads depth charts, and beat-reporter coverage, as of Friday, October 2, 2026.